On Wed, 2005-02-23 at 16:46 -0600, Mike Hord wrote:
> > - second choice - connect the chassis to the neutral. Sounds good right
> > since the neutral is connected to the same point as ground used to be
> > connected. But, what happens if the neutral wire is broken somewhere in
> > the house? The computer won't turn on. What will you do? Probably end up
> > touching the chassis, which is now at pretty much line voltage (even if
> > the PC power supply switch is on all it takes is one device on that
> > neutral leg to be on, a light bulb will do it). Not a good end for
> > you...
> 
> So does this imply that the ground wire doesn't follow the same route as
> the neutral and hot do, to avoid both neutral and ground being severed?
> 
> Not to argue against safety, but it seems to me that most things (say,
> careless use of a reciprocating saw) which would sever the neutral will
> also sever the hot, and ground, too, if they take the same path.

Yes, in which case you're safe since the hot would short to the neutral
and/or ground and the breaker would trip.

However, it does make sense. A current carrying wire will go through
stresses a non current carrying wire will go through. It's actually more
common then some would think for things like screws to come loose in the
panel and sever the connections of either the hot or neutral. 

On top of that, if you have a bad connection on a neutral it's entirely
possible for it to be at a dangerous potential above ground.

Suffice it to say if there weren't a valuable benefit on the safety
front we wouldn't be wasting a TON of money on running three wires
instead of two. TTYL


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